Support and FAQ

Before you write

• The manual is inside the add-on, or read it online. Every setting and shortcut is in it.
• See Compatibility and known issues for what is tested and what is a known limit.
• If the panel says the preferences are unsaved, press Save Preferences once and restart Blender.

What to send

• Your order number: it is in the receipt email from our checkout (Lemon Squeezy) or from Gumroad. Support comes with a purchase, and the number lets us find yours.
• Your Blender version, operating system and graphics card.
• The Copy Diagnostics report from the panel (Shortcuts & Help): one click fills your clipboard with the versions, the GPU, the worker state and the last log lines. Email Support with Diagnostics opens a message with it already in. Read it before sending: it can name your materials and your user name in a path.
• What you did, what you expected, and what happened instead. A screenshot helps.
• A small .blend that shows the problem, if you can make one. Never send client files.

What support covers

• Installing Loupe Shader, how its features work, and problems with Loupe Shader itself on a supported Blender version and computer, for the person who bought it.
• Not covered: Blender itself, graphics drivers or hardware, other add-ons, changes you made to the code, custom work, or general Blender and shading lessons.

Refunds

• Loupe Shader is sold on this site (the checkout is run by Lemon Squeezy) and on Gumroad. Either way the refund is issued through the checkout you bought from, and the request starts with an email to support@blacklykhen.com with your order number.
• If Loupe Shader does not work on your computer and we cannot fix it, or it does not do what its description says, write within 14 days and we refund you in full.
• It is software you keep once downloaded, so we do not otherwise refund a change of mind, except where the law where you live gives you that right. The full terms: Terms of sale.

Questions

Does it slow Blender down?

Rendering runs in a separate background Blender, so the main window stays responsive. Heavy materials take a few seconds the first time they compile; after that only the nodes you touch re-render. Texture chains are drawn instantly without any render.

Which GPUs work?

NVIDIA is the fast path (OptiX / CUDA). AMD (HIP), Apple Silicon (Metal) and Intel Arc (oneAPI) work too, and the CPU is the fallback. EEVEE previews work on any GPU.

Does it change my node tree?

No. Thumbnails are drawn over the editor and the per-node view settings are small custom properties. The Organize tools move nodes and write labels only when you press their buttons; the only connections ever touched are the reroute dots Straighten Links adds and removes itself.

Does it work inside node groups, in the World editor, on lights?

Yes. Tab into a group and every node inside gets a picture. World trees show as mirror and chrome balls, light trees as the light the lamp throws on a wall.

Does it work with Cycles and EEVEE?

Both. Loupe Shader follows your project’s render engine on its own: set the scene to Cycles or to EEVEE and the previews re-render in it. You can also switch the previews by themselves from the panel at any time.

Mac? Linux?

macOS is tested on Apple Silicon (Blender 4.2 to 5.3). On Linux the core features work but are less tested; if something does not, write to support@blacklykhen.com.

Is it a replacement for a real render?

No. The thumbnails are fast previews with simplified lighting and sampling. Always check in a real render before delivering.

Can I get a refund?

The store’s refund rules apply. If Loupe Shader cannot be made to work on your machine, write to support@blacklykhen.com first; we will help or confirm the refund.

What license is it under?

The GPL 2.0 or later, the license Blender requires of its add-ons. Your purchase is for one person (one seat): that person’s download, the updates for the 1.x series and our support are tied to the order. A studio license covers up to 10 or up to 25 people at one studio; for more, write to support@blacklykhen.com.

We are a studio. Which license do we need?

One Studio license covers up to 10 people at one studio, one Large studio license up to 25; both are sold on this site and on Gumroad. Updates and support come with them like with the single license. More than 25 people: write to support@blacklykhen.com.

Is tax included in the price?

The prices are in US dollars before tax. Where your country charges sales tax or VAT on software, the checkout adds it and shows the total before you pay.

How do I get updates?

Through the checkout you bought from: it keeps the latest .zip on your order page (Lemon Squeezy) or in your library (Gumroad) and emails you when a new version is out. Install it over the old one with Install from Disk.

Does it send anything over the internet?

No. No accounts, no license check, no analytics. Copy Diagnostics only fills your clipboard; Email Support only opens a message in your own mail app.

Can I use it for commercial work?

Yes, for any purpose. Your renders, materials and files are your own.

Which Blender versions does a new release support?

Every 1.x release supports Blender 4.2 LTS onward, and we aim to support each new Blender release in the next update.